Melanagromyza moatesi

Family

Subfamily

Genus

Species

Melanagromyza moatesi Warrington, 2019

Mine

N/A. An internal stem-borer. Larva feeding in the pith of the stem, pupariating therein. One or two larvae per stem, with pupariation occuring low down the stem.

Host Plants

• Eupatorium

Confusion Species

Melanagromyza eupatorii.

Recording Grade

4

National Status

Unknown.

Puparium

Orangey-yellow, posterior spiracles almost adjoining (the central furrow becomes raised centrally, fusing both spiracles), each with an ellipse of 22-29 elongate bulbs around the strong central horn. Length from 2.9 in male to 3.5mm in female.

Adult

Head: Frons 1.5x as wide as eye. Orbits projecting above eye in profile, more so at level of ors and upper ori, 2 or 3 strong reclinate ors, the anterior being slightly shorter, often slightly incurved with 3 or 4 strong, incurved ori (the lowest frequently being well separated from the next, as in M. aeneoventris). Orbital setulae long, numerous and entirely proclinate with, infrequently, some erect at level of lunule but never reclinate, in a single row at level of upper ors, increasing to two rows between lower ors and upper ori and often three rows at lower ori. Eye in male with patch of white pubescence at level of ors; in female, less so but still present. Gena slightly deeper in centre below eye, 0.33x as high as eye. Cheek forming a distinct ring below eye. Orbits wide, projecting above eye in profile; lunule broad, semi-circular, with a slight central furrow. Ocellar triangle reaching to level of lower ors, sometimes to upper ori. Third antennal segment small, rounded, with short pubescence, not longer than the basal section of the arista.
Mesonotum: 2 strong dc; acr in 10 rows at front, reducing to 5-6 rows at level of first dc. 1 or 2 small scutellar setulae close to the lateral scutellar setae may be present. A pair of dorsal scutellar setulae were detected in three specimens (left side slightly stronger), with four specimens possessing just one setula (all on left side).
Wing: Hyaline, costa extending to vein M₁₊₂. All veins ochre-brown. Distal section of vein R₄₊₅ possessing two or three small dots, each with one sensillum. Ultimate section of vein M₄ 0.75 (average) that of the penultimate. Costal sections (2-4), with an average ratio of 100:24:22. Length 2.7-2.9 mm in male, 2.8-3.2 mm in female.
Colour: Frons matt black, with a slight grey tinge. Orbits and ocellar triangle only moderately shining, paler than frons. Lunule lighter than frons, grey-black. Gena blackish-brown, palpi black. Mesonotum matt, greyish-black but with a distinct metallic, coppery-green shine. Abdomen weakly to moderately shining, greenish, more so in female. Calypter whitish-grey, with margin orangey-brown, sometimes darker; fringe brownish, the hairs dark basally but becoming paler, light brown. Legs all black, with 2 posterolateral setae on mid tibia.
Male genitalia: Surstylus possessing a group of long setae and several spines on inner surface; basiphallus U-shaped; basal bladder of mesophallus with slight upward curvature; distiphallus with distinct areas of spiculae distally when viewed from above; distal tubule relatively weak and wide.
Female genitalia: Egg guide acute apically, 5.9-6.3x as long as maximum width, medial membrane with sparse sensilla close to inner margin, more so basally.